Peruvian Service Exploration​

I tossed and turned in my bed and heard an odd buzzing noise. I instinctively reached for my phone but found that it was cold and silent with the glaring reflection stating "4:56am". Being the detective I am, I rolled out of bed and began my search for this unfamiliar hum. The sun had already made its presence - broadening my perspective on top of the motel. It was there, looking out on the horizon, stunned by the beauty of the sunrise, that I stood listening to the symphony of hundreds of roosters. How honored was I to have experienced a traditional Peruvian alarm.​

Peru is a country full of culture and love, but most of all pride. Peruvians are proud of who they are and where they came from - so accepting help can be a challenge for those who need it. The mantra that many of the families that I met in Peru had was "There are people who need more help than I do". While this could be seen as an expression of pride, I believe it shows an immense amount of empathy towards others and a community that cares for one another, a community I would like to be a part of. A community that I want to promote, not only my personal life, but my professional life as well. I believe that the healthiest team is a team that is invested in each member and as a whole.

​While in Peru I worked alongside the builders of La Florida to build homes for the Fuller Center. Although I had never built a roof before, the biggest challenge wasn't sawing wood and nailing panels to the support beams, but the barriers around communication. Peru is the first country I have visited where English is not the a prominent language. Although I had taken some Spanish in high school, I could not remember enough grammar and vocabulary to even hold a brief conversation with the little girls giggling with excitement about their new home. Where was Google when I needed it? I learned to adapt by acting out what I was saying in the hope of getting my point across or ask a question correctly. It reminded me how important language and communication are to build a connection - to spark emotion. A simple "gracias" could leave someone beaming.

​The beauty of Peru is humbling. The natural beauty that has been left untouched reminds one of the influence humans have on our environment. Machu Picchu, once a secret high up in the mountains, is now the source of an entire town's income. The base of the mountain now houses many restaurants, hotels, and trading markets. Although this natural wonder has helped boost the local economy, there is a price to pay as well. As I sat admiring my surroundings and appreciating the history that Machu Picchu held, I was continuously distracted by group tourists shouting ancient rumors, guards yelling at tourists for rule infractions, and hordes of people lining up to take selfies with llamas that wanted nothing to do with them. I trailed behind my smiling peers with a sad demeanor, wondering why, as a society, we choose to disrupt everything in our path for our own personal gain. This reflection adds another condition to community I outlined above that I want to foster - one that strives to work harmoniously with its surroundings.

Organization & Project Fuller Center for Housing: fullercenter.org

​Organization The Fuller Center for Housing is currently building and renovating homes in 14 countries and 55 communities in the United States. FCH is working toward a mission to help the more than 1 billion people worldwide who live in poverty housing and the 100 million who are homeless.

​Project Most of the families with whom The Fuller Center will supply homes to are migrant workers or day laborers. In a desperate search for work, they came to this area from other parts of Peru, particularly the Andes. Unable to earn enough for decent homes, they live in structures made of reed panels among the sand dunes in the region. These houses are flimsy and lack privacy, and few have access to basic human services, such as education and healthcare. Only about 10 percent of the dwellings in the area can be considered permanent. ​As of October 2012, 38 homes have been completed, including 10 completed during the 2012 Millard Fuller Legacy Build. The homes built through the Fuller Center will be the first permanent dwellings for many of these families. Most of the families cannot obtain normal credit opportunities because of their low incomes and lack of collateral. Each family will perform sweat equity and sign a low-cost, no interest mortgage with The Fuller Center.